Amid a breakout 2026 season, Philadelphia Union midfielder Cavan Sullivan has secured the No. 1 spot on the annual MLS 22 Under 22 rankings.
The rising US men's national team star is the youngest-ever player to reach No. 1 (17 years, 22 days), surpassing Vancouver Whitecaps FC product and Bayern Munich defender Alphonso Davies in 2018 (17 years, 355 days).Â
Sullivan is the second Union player to earn the top spot, joining fellow Philadelphia homegrown and current Leeds United attacker Brenden Aaronson from the 2020 list.
Sullivan, who will reportedly join English powerhouse Manchester City in the future, is joined by Philadelphia homegrowns Neil Pierre (No. 7) and Frankie Westfield (No. 11) on this year's 22 Under 22 rankings.
Breakout season
Sullivan signed with Philadelphia's first team in May 2024 and was called a "generational talent" by then-Union head coach Jim Curtin. That July, he became the youngest debutant in North American professional sports at 14 years and 293 days.
Fast forward to the 2026 campaign, and the Sullivan hype train has evolved into consistent production.
He's netted the most goal contributions by a teenager in a single MLS season (21; 7g/14a), as well as the longest MLS goal-contribution streak by a teenager (10 games).
The wunderkind has parlayed club success into USMNT opportunities, earning his first call-up in September. He quickly became the fourth-youngest USMNT debutant (second-youngest starter) in the modern era before snatching the title of youngest-ever USMNT goalscorer with a long-range strike in a 3-0 win over Mexico.
While away on international duty, Sullivan was named MLS Player of the Month for September, again becoming the youngest-ever player to win the award.
Philly surge
With Philadelphia, Sullivan's scorching form coincides with interim head coach Ryan Richter taking the reins during the 2026 FIFA World Cup break.
The Union recently embarked on a club-record eight-game winning streak, and are enjoying a 15-match unbeaten run (12W-0L-3D) since resuming play following this summer's tournament.
That coincides with the Union, 2025 Supporters' Shield champions, going from last in the MLS table to now sixth in the Eastern Conference standings as the Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs race heats up.
